STAND. COM. REP. NO. 885

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 263, 415

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 263 and 415, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Massage Therapy

G.M. No. 263	OLIVIA B. NAGASHIMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and
G.M. No. 415	WENDEE J. WILSON, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Olivia B. Nagashima was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Massage Therapists Association of Hawaii, the Hawaiian Islands School of Massage, and two private citizens.  Testimony in support of the nomination of Wendee J. Wilson was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one private citizen.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Olivia B. Nagashima and Wendee J. Wilson have the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Massage Therapy.

     Ms. Nagashima is currently an interim member of the Board of Massage Therapy and satisfies the requirement that a member be a licensee.  Ms. Nagashima is presently employed as an Instructor at Hawaii Healing Arts College, a Realtor, a property manager, and is a sole proprietor as a Licensed Massage Therapist.  She is President of the Board of Directors for the American Massage Therapy Association Hawaii Chapter, and the Education Chairperson and Membership Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the American Massage Therapy Association.  Ms. Nagashima has demonstrated her dedication to serving her professional community through her avid attendance, preparedness, and participation in discussions of the Board of Massage Therapy. 

     Ms. Wilson is currently a member of the Board of Massage Therapy and satisfies the requirement that a member represent the public.  Ms. Wilson has demonstrated a willingness to learn and understand the profession and practice of massage therapy.  Her preparedness for and participation in meetings earned her the respect of her fellow members, who unanimously elected her to serve as the Chair of the Board.  As a public member of the Board, Ms. Wilson provides a different perspective from members in the practice.  She possesses an ability to focus on the issues and conduct Board meetings in an orderly and effective manner.  Ms. Wilson has developed a thorough knowledge of the profession and understands both the public and the profession's interests in the issues discussed by the Board.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair